This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Climate warnings ignored

Sun., Sept. 10, 2017

Now, with Hurricane Harvey having brought record rainfall to the Texas Gulf Coast, and wildfires devouring wide swaths of Western forests, it’s time to connect the dots. Climate change is real, and it’s not just the “cyclical pattern” that so many skeptics cite to refute abundant evidence.

It may be that we are too late, that we are past the infamous “tipping point” environmentalists warned of. If so, we can still mitigate environmental damage by insisting on accountability from decision-makers and corporate “people.”

History, I’m afraid, will not treat kindly those who ignored the warnings, particularly those who did so in pursuit a narrowly focused preoccupation on economic gains.

Shelah Riggins

Deer Park

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: letters@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-5098
Phone: (509) 459-5403